strongman Siddaramaiah

MYSURU (K’TAKA), APR 19 (PTI): Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday filed nomination from Varuna constituency in this district, for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls, as he reiterated that this would be his last election and virtually laid out a “succession plan” of sorts.

The 75-year-old Leader of Opposition indicated his son and grandson to be his political successors. “This is my last election, after that there is Yathindra (son), Dhawan Rakesh (grand son)...”, he said.

Siddaramaiah’s younger son Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah is the sitting Congress MLA from Varuna.

An eight time MLA, Siddaramaiah had earlier won twice from Varuna, and went on to become the Leader of Opposition after winning from here in 2008, and then became Chief Minister after 2013 Assembly polls.

The Congress legislature party leader offered prayers to his family deity Siddarameshwara at the temple in his native village of Siddaramanahundi, and also visited Sri Rama temple there, and held a massive roadshow before filing the nomination.

Pointing out that he

Aaditya targets Maha CM over slow pace of projects

MUMBAI, APR 19 (PTI):

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday claimed infrastructure projects across Mumbai and its satellite cities are shut due to the lack of gravel supply for more than two weeks.

He also alleged all stone-crushing companies have been served notices by the Environment Department controlled by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

There is buzz that someone from Shinde’s close circles has pressured all (gravel) suppliers to supply the material through a company, which led to an escalation of costs by more than 50 per cent, the former environment minister claimed while speaking to reporters. “This is happening to benefit specific contractor friends of the chief minister,” he said.

Thackeray also said due to the lack of gravel supply, crucial works like the Delisle Road bridge and other road works taken up by the Brihanmumbai Mu-

Aaditya Thackeray (PTI) nicipal Corporation (BMC) will not be completed by the May 31 deadline before monsoon. is the son of the soil, as his village Siddaramanahundi comes under Varuna segment, Siddaramaiah while addressing the public meeting said this will be his last election. After contesting this polls, he will retire from electoral politics, but not from politics.

“What is the progress of the work (of the infrastructure projects in Mumbai) and what is the efficiency of the work?” he asked. Thackeray said all the concerned departments --- Urban Development and Environment -- are controlled by CM Shinde.

“As the corrupt civic body administration and the government enjoy its share, we Mumbaikars are facing the brunt of their greed,” Thackeray alleged.

Dhawan Rakesh is son of Siddaramaiah’s late elder son Rakesh Siddaramaiah. As Siddaramaiah took Dhwan’s name the crowd started cheering.

As Dhawan was waving at the crowd, Siddaramaiah said, “He should be 25 years to come to politics, still eight years to go, his education is still not complete. Only after completing education, politics. Your love and affection towards him was what you had on Rakesh, who was very popular here.” court to use its “plenary power, prestige and moral authority” to push the society to acknowledge such a union as would ensure LGBTQIA persons lead a “dignified” life like heterosexuals.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for one of the petitioners, said the State should come forward and provide recognition to same-sex marriage.

Earlier in the day, the Centre urged the apex court that all states and Union Territories be made parties to the proceedings, saying any decision on the issue without obtaining their view will render the present “adversarial exercise” incomplete and truncated.

In a fresh affidavit filed in the apex court, the Centre said it had issued a letter on April 18 to all states inviting comments and views on the “seminal issue” raised in the petitions.

The hearing and the outcome of the matter will have significant ramifications for the country where common people and political parties hold strong and divergent views on the subject.